T-TIME TOURING

Russ Furstnow

        Our May tour was well attended and, once again, many members chose to drive modern. Those in attendance were, Billy and June Bridge, Clayt and Rose Chance, Gary and Marti Hays, Dave Chance, Russ and Kathy Furstnow, Dick and Joyce Erfert, John and Montana Renkema, Art and Tommie Wimmer, Marilyn Petersen, Gary Selig and tour chairman, Bill Harrison. We held the club meeting in Art's garage and saw that Art is repainting his 1913 runabout for the Centennial. John Renkema got a new radiator for his Model T (which is being restored for the centennial). Russ gave a short seminar on "lengthening" a Model T rear axle and showed how to install new "Floating Hubs" for the rear axle. Dave Chance brought his "new" 1916 Model T runabout, which he just finished assembling the week before the tour, and he drove the entire event without a problem!!! Yea Dave! (Ed: For more on Dave's Model T, talk to Russ about the "issues" the car had the day before the tour.....especially the miss on the number one cylinder!!!!) Russ and Kathy Furstnow brought their 1911 touring and Art and Tommie Wimmer drove their trusty 1927 coupe. Bill Harrison led the tour in his 1957 Mercedes Benz 190 SL (it IS black!!) and everyone else drove modern.

        Bill led the tour on some great back roads around Mcguireville and Cornville, and we drove on the reconstructed State Route 179 into the Village of Oak Creek. The village now has around four or five "round-abouts" that are meant to slow the traffic, and the new highway is quite nice with replanted native vegetation and beautiful scenery. We arrived in Sedona, where we had a Mexican lunch (great service and food), and then we traveled the back roads of Sedona. Marilyn decided to get a jump on everyone (she was driving topless in her Mustang convertible....er..ahh....her top was down on the car) and she got separated from the group. We finally regrouped at Red Rock High School and drove the Red Rock Loop Road.....a beautiful road that had only 1/4 mile of dirt road (NOT!!!!!) according to Bill Harrison. Actually the two/three miles of dirt road were enjoyable and scenic. We then drove through Page Springs and Cornville and ended the drive in Cottonwood......no breakdowns ....beautiful weather....blue skies....and very few traffic lights!!!! What a great day to drive a Model T. Thanks again to Bill Harrison, Art and Tommie Wimmer (meeting hosts) and Billy and June Bridge (meeting snack providers). Great tour!!!